Daily Frameworks for 01 February 2024

Istijlál, 14 Sulțán (Sovereignty), 180 B.E.

Arising to Serve

Quote for Reflection:

O army of God! Through the protection and help vouchsafed by the Blessed Beauty—may my life be a sacrifice to His loved ones—ye must conduct yourselves in such a manner that ye may stand out distinguished and brilliant as the sun among other souls. Should any one of you enter a city, he should become a center of attraction by reason of his sincerity, his faithfulness and love, his honesty and fidelity, his truthfulness and loving-kindness towards all the peoples of the world, so that the people of that city may cry out and say: “This man is unquestionably a Bahá’í, for his manners, his behavior, his conduct, his morals, his nature, and disposition reflect the attributes of the Bahá’ís.” Not until ye attain this station can ye be said to have been faithful to the Covenant and Testament of God. For He hath, through irrefutable Texts, entered into a binding Covenant with us all, requiring us to act in accordance with His sacred instructions and counsels. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ¹

Question for Consideration:

What is required of us if we are to fulfill our part in the Covenant? ²

Google Bard Response:

In this powerful passage by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the expectations for Baha’is within the Covenant of God are laid out through a vivid metaphor and specific ethical principles. Here’s a breakdown of what’s required:

• Exemplary Conduct: Bahá’is are called upon to shine as “distinguished and brilliant as the sun” within their communities. This metaphor emphasizes the need for exemplary conduct that stands out positively and attracts others.
  
• Inner Virtues: This conduct should flow from internal qualities like sincerity, faithfulness, love, honesty, fidelity, truthfulness, and loving-kindness towards everyone. These virtues cultivate a radiant personality that embodies Baha’i principles.
  
• Universal Connection: The loving-kindness should extend to “all the peoples of the world,” regardless of background or belief. This universality reflects the Baha’i emphasis on global unity and harmony.
  
• Public Recognition: The passage envisions that such exemplary behavior will cause others to readily identify a Bahá’i by their “manners, behavior, conduct, morals, nature, and disposition.” This recognition is a testament to the transformative power of the Baha’i teachings.
  
• Faithfulness to the Covenant: Fulfilling these expectations is equated with being “faithful to the Covenant and Testament of God.” This emphasizes the responsibility of Bahá’is to actively embody the principles laid out in their sacred texts and teachings.
  
• Binding Covenant and Divine Instructions: This “binding Covenant” is described as established through “irrefutable Texts” and containing “sacred instructions and counsels.” This reinforces the seriousness of the undertaking and the guidance provided for upholding it.
  

Therefore, fulfilling your part in the Covenant as a Bahá’i involves cultivating and expressing inner virtues, practicing universal love and kindness, living exemplarily to inspire others, and faithfully adhering to the teachings and principles outlined in the Baha’i scriptures. It’s a continuous journey of personal growth and spiritual development that contributes to improving oneself and the world.

This interpretation is based on the specific passage and may vary depending on individual understanding and spiritual path within the Baha’i faith. Ultimately, fulfilling the Covenant is a profoundly personal journey of aligning one’s life with the Baha’i teachings and striving to contribute one’s best in service to the world.

Remember, while I can provide information and interpretations, genuine understanding and commitment come from your exploration and spiritual growth within the Baha’i community.

1. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 70-71. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/4#456225810. ↩
2. Ruhi Institute. Arising to Serve. 2.1.1.PE September 2020. Vol. Book 2. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2020, 40. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#AS. ↩